COLLEGE ATHLETICS ACC delegation takes tour of Miami

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford headed a delegation that began touring the University of Miami on Thursday.
Swofford was joined by Florida State athletic director Dave Hart and North Carolina State athletic director Lee Fowler. Miami has scheduled a news conference for today to include Swofford and Hurricanes AD Paul Dee.
The visit to Miami is the first of three to Big East schools. Different delegations are expected at Boston College and Syracuse next week.
The site visits are mandatory based on ACC bylaws, and although they are considered mere formalities, they could be critical steps in the conference's bid to lure three of the Big East's top programs.
The delegation was expected to tour the Orange Bowl as well as Miami's on-campus facilities that include a new $48 million basketball arena and a workout facility that was part of a $4.5 million renovation in 2001.
The delegation also will meet with Miami president Donna Shalala and Dee, giving the ACC officials a chance to respond to recent overtures from the Big East.
Rutgers spokesman John Wooding confirmed that the Big East guaranteed Miami at least $9 million annually for the next five years if the Hurricanes remain in the conference.
The offer was made to Dee in a letter dated May 27 and written by Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese with the approval of the conference's presidents and athletic directors, including those from Boston College and Syracuse.